Judge halts construction of Trump's proposed arch in DC
Thao NguyenA federal judge temporarily blocked construction of President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, DC, on Nov. 5 after the project cleared a key federal planning hurdle.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted late Nov. 5 to approve the project after hearing from about 100 opponents, including Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia said the project would "snarl traffic for years, impact the nearby airport, and present even more serious threats to public safety that this commission has refused to acknowledge and grapple with."
The commission's approval had appeared to clear the way for the Trump administration to begin excavation and foundation work within days. The U.S. Department of Justice previously said an initial six to eight months of excavation and foundation work could begin as early as this week, while the National Park Service could issue final permits or other authorizations.
But U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Nov. 5 granted a temporary restraining order sought by the District of Columbia and Virginia, barring the administration from initiating construction.
The order blocks, for 14 days, any construction, excavation, demolition, land-disturbing work, utility installation, roadway closures or other activity related to building the arch at Memorial Circle on Columbus Island while the court considers the case.
Judge temporarily blocks construction of triumphal arch
The District of Columbia and Virginia sued the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior on Oct. 31, seeking to stop construction before it began. The lawsuit called the project "legally indefensible" and argued Congress never authorized the monument.
The Trump administration contends Congress approved the arch more than a century ago when it authorized construction of a bridge across the Potomac River.
In her order, Chutkan directed federal officials to notify employees, contractors, subcontractors and other entities involved in the project that any construction-related activity is prohibited under the court order. The defendants must update the court by Nov. 9 on those notification efforts and certify their compliance with the order.
Trump's triumphal arch proposal
The proposed monument would sit on a highway roundabout near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. Modeled after Paris' Arc de Triomphe, the structure would stand more than 80 feet taller than its French counterpart and rise to nearly the height of the 288-foot U.S. Capitol.
Trump has promoted the project as both a landmark and a military asset. Speaking on Nov. 2 during an event highlighting improvements to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, he said the arch could house drones and snipers.
"It's right smack in the middle of everything, so very important for our military. But from a beautification standpoint, it'll be the most beautiful arch in the world," Trump said.
The arch is one of several major Washington projects Trump is pursuing despite opposition from local officials and preservation advocates. Others include rebuilding the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial, constructing a large White House ballroom and overhauling the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Contributing: Reuters